National League/Dublin City 0 Derry City 2: Derry City came out on top in this relegation clash played at Tolka Park last night. Derry claimed the three points courtesy of strikes from Ciarán Martyn on 46 minutes and an injury time effort from Mark Farran.

Elsewhere they struggled to contain a determined Dublin City team led upfront by Gary O'Neill and Philip Hughes and the two linked well on 20 minutes with Derry City keeper Patrick Jennings forced to make a fine save after O'Neill had created an opening for himself from just outside the box.

Derry then almost took the lead themselves on the half hour with Alan Murphy's effort from outside the box crashing against the under side of the crossbar but it was Dublin City who finished the firsthalf stronger with Cathal O'Connor denied by Pat Jennings after he had been released at the edge of the box.

Derry however were ahead shortly after the re-start when Martyn with his back to the goal somehow managed to squeeze the ball inside Robbie Horgan's right hand post.

And the home suffered a further blow when Ray Scully who had only been on since the start of the secondhalf was forced to retire with a knee injury.

Derry were forced to defend once more as Dublin City pressed for an equaliser with Peter Hutton making a crucial intervention to deny Philip Hughes and then in the dying seconds Farran popped up on the edge of the box to stretch Derry's lead.

DUBLIN CITY: Horgan; Ennis, Whelehan, McGauley, Byrne, O'Connor, Crowley, Colwell, Brennan; Hughes, O'Neill. Subs: Scully (46), Gleeson (65),.

DERRY CITY: Jennings; Brennan, Delaney, Hutton, Hargan; McGlynn, Byrne, Doherty, Martyn; Murphy, Holt. Subs: Farran (87), Becketts (69), O'Grady (56).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).